Eastern Center receives state grants; $11.03 million base bid approved for building-trades renovation
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Summary
Cheltenham board received a report that the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology accepted a $216,090.12 Pennsylvania Department of Labor school-to-career grant, a $191,000 supplemental equipment grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and approved an $11,029,000 base bid for building-trades renovations to expand program capacity.
Verdell Williams, reporting for the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology joint operating committee, told the board that Eastern accepted a Pennsylvania Department of Labor school-to-career grant for $216,090.12 and a Pennsylvania Department of Education supplemental equipment grant for about $191,000 to buy equipment for allied health, culinary arts, design, photography, exercise science and other programs.
Williams also said the joint operating committee approved the base bid for a building trades renovation in the amount of $11,029,000. The project is intended to expand capacity and create a construction careers and management program; Williams said the renovation will create space for roughly 40 additional students out of an approximate wait list of 90.
Why it matters: the grants and renovation funding expand career and technical education capacity for students across participating districts, increasing opportunities for hands-on apprenticeship pathways and employer partnerships.
What’s next: Williams said the project and grant-funded purchases will proceed through the Eastern Center’s procurement and implementation processes. The board received the report; the items reported were approved at Eastern’s joint operating committee meetings in March and April.
